The Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The New York Mets took another step in reducing their payroll, trading shortstop Rey Ordonez to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Sunday for two players to be named.

The Mets will pay part of Ordonez's $6.25 million salary for next season.

Ordonez spent seven years with the Mets, earning three Gold Gloves and winning fans with breathtaking defense.

Ordonez, who once played 101 consecutive errorless games at shortstop, committed 19 errors last season - his most since his rookie year in 1996. He batted .254 with one homer and 42 RBI.

GIANTS: Edgardo Alfonzo agreed to a $26 million, four-year contract with San Francisco.

Alfonzo played third base for the Mets last season, moving from second when New York acquired Roberto Alomar, and it wasn't immediately clear if his signing affects the Giants' negotiations with former NL MVP Jeff Kent.

San Francisco already has signed free-agent second baseman Ray Durham, but it's possible Durham could be put in the outfield with Kent remaining at second. Kent also could play first instead of J.T. Snow.

RED SOX: Boston acquired Jeremy Giambi, the brother of 2000 American League MVP Jason, in a trade that sent right-handed prospect Josh Hancock to the Philadelphia Phillies.

Giambi, 28, started last season with the Oakland A's and batted .274 with eight homers and 17 RBI before he was traded to the Phillies on May22 for John Mabry. Giambi hit .244 with 12 homers and 28 RBI for Philadelphia.

CARDINALS: St. Louis acquired right-handed pitcher Brett Tomko from San Diego for right-hander Luther Hackman. Tomko went 10-10 with a 4.49 ERA, while Hackman went 5-4 with a 4.11 ERA.

PIRATES: Outfielder Matt Stairs reached a tentative agreement with Pittsburgh on a one-year contract. Stairs hit .244 with 16 homers and 41 RBI for Milwaukee last season.

ORIOLES: Shortstop Deivi Cruz and Baltimore agreed to a one-year contract with an option for 2004. Cruz batted .263 for the San Diego Padres last season with seven homers.